We’re glad the seller of this 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 listed on Hemmings.com included photos of the engine bay and undercarriage. Without them, it would just look like another clean, striped, split-bumper Z, but with them, we can see that the restoration of the car really got down to the nitty gritty, to the point where it looks like a brand-new car top and bottom. Add in the desirable LT1/four-speed drivetrain, and this Z28 looks more than ready to get some miles under its tires. From the seller’s description:

Assembled at GM”s Van Nuys facility in May of 1970, this Z/28 R/S has received a complete nut and bolt restoration. Finished in its correct code 67 Classic Copper paint with code 10 Classic White stripes, matched with correct code 730 Sandalwood knit vinyl interior this is one of the best looking Z’s you can find. The period correct LT1 engine, Muncie 4-speed trans, and 3.73 geared 12 bolt rear diff. have been rebuilt and restored to exacting standards.

In England (the originating land of the language) as in Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, the letter is pronounced “zed”. Why the Americans changed it…well…you’d have to ask an American linguist I guess.

“In most dialects of English, the letter’s name is ‘zed’ /ˈzɛd/, reflecting its derivation from the Greek zeta, but in American English, its name is ‘zee’ /ˈziː/, deriving from a late 17th century English dialectal form.[2]”

Just a continuation of another old form.

Also found a citation stating that “zee” was typical of New Brunswick.

I also had a “bunch” of muscle cars back in the day. (’58 ‘vette, 62 ‘vette, 66 GTO, among them). Yes they are all gone now. But….as you say, I had ’em once. Today I have toys, but those early ones have much more “magic”.

Back in 1969 there was an extended strike @ some GM plants and both the Camaro and Corvette were affected and then General Manager @ Chevrolet (John DeLorean) decided to extend the build out of 1969 models until the end of the calander year and consequently there was a “late release” on both these models.

They called the Vette a 1970 and the Camaro actually a 1970 1/2. Why I have No idea but hopefully someone within the Hemming’s Blog Nation with more knowledge than I, has that answer.

This might have been the first muscle car that I liked as a kid. That split bumper was / is so cool. For some reason, I thought that the split bumper models were 1970 1/2. What a restoration, wow, beautiful car. I can’t believe that this one isn’t going to auction, that seems to be the trend.

Hey Lesmore! I’m not an English major, but you brought back memories of a Canadian youth and some oddities north of the border. The only explanation of Z vs Zed would be that Canucks just want to be different, eh? Perhaps the proverbial “eh” at the end of most sentences was likely for the benefit of attention-deficit Yanks to keep them current in a conversation. I’m happy for fans of the Camero, it never got me all that excited. I was too distracted by the Mustang Mach series, the Hemi Cuda’s out there, and a Caddy Eldorado for road trips.

This is my favorite muscle car – equipped with the 370 h.p. 350 and the F41 it was a decent handler, too. The styling is what puts it over the top for me, and I am usually a blue oval guy. I was under the impression all Z28’s got the M22. Can one of you GM guys explain why the omission on this car? This is a beautiful car that has been meticulously restored and although the price is high, I’m betting the next owner will still sell it for more $$. The day will come – soon – that we’ll say -“remember when a cherry Z could be had for less than $50 large”?

Back in “the day” the standard 4-speed for performance was the M21 close ratio and the M22 was the heavy duty (read “race”) optional close ratio.

There was also a wide ratio 4 speed as well which, due to the mindset at that time, was installed in vehicles equipped with A/C due to issues of a faster RPM “ramp up” @ wide open throttle would cause V-Belts to “fling off”.

Several years later they developed the deep groove pulleys which alleviated that problem with the belts.

Exactly true… I had the M21 close ratio in this exact car, only an RS. Threw the belt quite a bit, until I found a guy that got me a Goodyear belt with a tad different V… Problem solved. Loved that car… Extremely fast. I lived in a smallish town. Only lost one race… A guy I went to high school with, had a 340 Duster, with a huge cam. I just wish I would have raced him on curvy road… Different outcome for sure.

That grille/bumper treatment was the major part of the Rally Sport option package. That option was discontinued after Dec ’72 due to the NHTSA bumper regs that took place 1/1/73.
I suppose technically the “1970” Camaros & Firebirds are 1970 1/2 and were commonly called so back in the day.
Sweet cars, actually; I’ve owned a couple including one I ordered new, and would gladly have that one back…

I bought a Z/28 just like the one shown, except mine had an automatic and the interior was black. I lived in Detroit at the time and the recessed windshield wipers was a mistake. After a snow storm, packed snow and ice around the wiper blades made them unusable until the defrosters thawed the ice and snow. Mine also had a 4.10 rear end. Unfortunately, I had more than my fair share of mechanical problems from a non-working radio to starting and charging problems, overheating due to warped heads and blown head gaskets. I hardly ever raced it on Woodward Ave.

I think these are very comfortable cars as long as you never sit in the back. We packed 8 of us into my buddy’s Firebird once when we were teens; of course 5 of the 8 were exceptionally pretty and slim girls, so I didn’t mind being piled in back with 3 of them on top; that was a good night.

Back in HS in 73, we all worked at the local A&P. While most of us were content to pilot a parent’s car back and forth from lot to lot, Brian had bought a ’70 1/2 SS 396 (IIRC) in screaming red / white stripes with the same tan interior. Mike, on the other hand, had a black SS 454 Chevelle. The sounds of those two engines in the lot made for some really memorable work breaks, and the sight of Mike ‘borrowing’ Brian’s keys to show him how to do donuts was unbelievable.
I’d take the Camaro ANY day over the Chevelle.

I bought a 1974 Type LT…. 4 speed. First the shifter ball stripped and came off the stick, then the whole gear shift came off in my hand. I think it was attached with a bent very small cotter pin.
I ordered the car and it took 11.5 weeks because I ordered it like this one , with no center console.
Loved the car, but not how it was put together.

I love mine, but it’s for sale due to my very bad knee, can’t push in clutch any more. Thought of converting it to Turbo 400 or 700R4 and keeping it. Kind of on the fence about doing it to what was originally a M22 car. Unfortunately the M22 is long gone so it’s not a matching numbers car. Any options or opinions ? It’s a 70 gold and black non-RS Norwood model with very few options, and not as pristine as this one

Hi MB, By all means, put the automatic in and keep the car. Take it from someone who regrets everyday, the sale of my classics, (due to circumstances beyond my control)(kind of). It will be very hard to replace it, besides, believe me, as you get older, shifting is a pain in the butt anyway.

MB,keep the car if you love it. My Camaro was a 4 speed M-21, due to a bad left knee and living in an area with heavy traffic and chronic gridlock I eventually installed a 700R4. It’s not that difficult to do this and you can also switch things back if you so desire to do in the future. Having that overdrive transmission will make you car even more enjoyable.

Ragtop, Thank you for your input. 700R4 sounds good, and that will help knock down the gearing a little. Any “got ya’s” I should look out for? I already replaced radiator with BB /w trans cooler years ago, and chassis stiffeners to keep the windshield from cracking and the doors closing properly.

I bought my 701/2 Z-28 from the head of Trans-Am racing at Cheverolet Engineering at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Mich.It is true about the strike. Factory parts for the Z weren’t available till 72. It had about 2000 miles on it and cost me $2800 dollars. Couldn’t afford insurance on a new Vette and the Z’s title juar read “Camaro”, so insurance was cheap. No frame under these great looking designs caused body twist and paint to flake off just behind of the doors at the body seam, so rust was a problem. No power steering & M22 with very stiff clutch pedal made it impossible for a female to drive it.

I bought mine in 1971. It was blue. I was stationed in Germany and got it from a guy that was being sent to Vietnam. I drove it in Europe for 6 months before I got sent home. It turned heads wherever I went in Europe especially in Italy. Had fun playing around with the Mercedes, Porsche drivers on occasion on the Autoban. Had to sell in 1974 when 2nd child arrived. Wife hated driving it since there was no power steering and 4 speed. Still have fond memories.

I’ve always thought the rear window treatment on the 70 1/2 was better than the wrap around design. Come to think of it, Chevy played the same game with the rear window on this Camaro like they did with the 1963 Corvette.

Glass infused radio antenna. I totally forgot about that. Never worked very well.

It’s interesting seeing all the A.I.R. hardware in place – usually it was all yanked off and thrown away, brass or iron pipe plugs inserted into exhaust manifolds (or manifolds replaced with headers), etc.

Summer of 1974 I had just graduated high school. My friend’s brother had a 1970 Z28. Green w/ 4 speed. Nice car. He wouldn’t give me a ride though. He said he got terrible gas mileage. Bet he wishes he still had it.

Surprised no one mentioned “the hugger” , that was the marketing name Chevy put on it. It’s the only Camaro I ever lusted after, it truly was a “hugger” a memorable driving experience and under appreciated.

I bought the same car but in green with white stripes from the head of transam racing at Chevrolet Engineering at the GM Tech Center, Warren, Michigan. Price with 3000 miles on it was $2800. First producton car to come with Goodyear 10 inch wide tires, which were defective, causing side wall separtion. Very hard in 71 to get parts for it, due to GM autoworkers strike. Too bad the car didn’t have a full frame, cause the body twisted badly, but a beautifu design, Titled as 70 Chevrolet, so insurance cost was reasonable. Regards, Joe Rybicki Highlands Ranch, CO.